Whether you are just entering the workforce or have been in a specific working field for years, there is always room to improve your skills and open yourself to the advice of an expert. Though you may think of yourself as someone who doesn’t need to learn or that you have life figured out, all of us can benefit from being mentored, whether it be in our career path or life in general. Recognizing that you want or need a mentor is one thing, but finding a good mentor can be overwhelming and stressful if you don’t know how to go about it.
Are you someone trying to find a good mentor but don’t know where to start? Unsure of the benefits of having a good mentor? Read below for the top five benefits of having a mentor!
Networking
No matter what your field of work is, networking is an important component to expanding your career and broadening your contact pool. With a mentor, you not only benefit from the connection you have with him/her, but you also can benefit from their connections as well. While your mentor can help you with different kinds of problems, they can also lead you in the direction of colleagues, friends, or work acquaintances that can give you additional advice, expose you to work environments or careers, and help you build your connections.
Accountability
Whether it be in a professional environment or your personal life, there are always goals that we want to achieve. When we set goals by ourselves, it can be easy to fall back on those goals and become lackadaisical in regards to completing the goals. With a mentor, not only can he/she help you set short and long term goals, but they can also give you meaningful advice as to how to put your goals into action and accomplish them. By having a mentor, you can be held accountable for your flaws, your strengths, the things you want to change, and goals you wish to accomplish!
Personal Development
Among the various benefits of a mentorship, perhaps the most beneficial aspect is the growth and personal development that you experience along the way. In a work atmosphere or simply in the broader aspects of your life, there should always be room for self-improvement, whether it be work skills, behavioral flaws/setbacks, or simply a bad mindset. In a blog post by Monster, they write, “Your mentor is the office equivalent of that friend who calls you out if you’re out of line. By telling you your strengths and your weaknesses, he or she will help you gain self-awareness, respect your colleagues more and become a better team player. In short, they’ll help you build your character.”
Perspective
When struggling in a situation, whether it be work related or personal, friends and family can be great sources to go to for meaningful advice. The only problem? Family and friends carry natural biases, which can lead them to give tips or advice based on how they feel about you or your relationship with them. While this advice can definitely be respected, a mentor’s perspective is much more objective and useful, which can give you clarity and a fresh, new perspective on how to solve even your most complicated issues. Don’t worry, giving mom a call doesn’t hurt too!
Problem Solving
No one likes handling a problem alone. In your work environment, or even in your personal life, tackling an overwhelming problem is never easy, especially if the problem involves someone you are close with (i.e. a boss, colleague, or spouse). Among the broad personal development growth, a mentor can help you solve problems in any realm by giving you mature, relevant, and appropriate advice for any situation. Sarah Price, a blog writer for Surf Careers further emphasizes this, saying, “Their experience and insight can stop you making mistakes and can give you the answers rather than you having to waste valuable time and money working out the right way to handle the situation.”